Apparatus for flushing water-closets.



No. 655,303. A Patented Aug; 7, I900.

' A. LA BONTE.

APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING WATER CLOSETS.

(Applibation filed Mar. 8, 1900.)

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, I Patented' Aug. 7, I900. A. LA BONTE.

APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING WATER GLOSETS. (Application filed Mar. 8, 1900.1 (No llodel.) 2.8haets-Sheet 2.

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' NrrEn STATES PATENT OFFI E.

ADOLPIIUS LA BONTFI, OF WVORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR FLUSHING WATER-CLOSETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,303, dated August 7, 1900.

Application filed March 8, 1900.

T0 (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADOLPHUS LA BONTF}, of the city and countyof WVorcester, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Flushing Water-Closets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which Figure 1 represents a central vertical section, partly in elevation, of my said improved flushing apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan of said apparatus. Fig. 3 is a side or end View of the apparatus looking in the direction of arrow a in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse section taken on line b, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a horizontal transverse section taken on line 0, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a central vertical section through the upper part of the refillingtank of the apparatus, which will be hereinafter more fully described, this figure and all the following ones being shown upon an en- Fig. 7 is a plan of the spring snap-catch and its operating cam-leverfor holding the main operating-lever of the apparatus down while the water is flowing out of the main reservoir or tank until automatically released by the rise of the water in the refilling-tank and the operation of said camlever, as will be hereinafter described. Fig. 8 is a side view of said spring snap-catch and cam-lever looking in the direction of arrow cl, Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an end view of the snap-catch and cam-lever looking in the direction of arrow 6, Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is an interior view of the outlet from the reservoir or tank and its valve looking in the direction of arrow f, Fig. 1.

The object of my invention is to cover certain improvements upon the apparatus for flushing water-closets for which Letters Patent of the United States No. 624,224 were granted to me May 2, 1899; and it consists of improvements whereby the construction of said apparatus is greatly simplified and whereby the amount of water discharged for both the main and after flush may be regulated, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

To enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to better understand Serial No. 7,818. (No model.)

the nature and purpose thereof, I will now proceed to describe it more in detail.

In the drawings, Arepresents the main reservoir or tank, provided with the supply-pipe A and which may be supported on suitable brackets 13 or in any other suitable and convenient manner.

Ois the main flush-pipe, which is in practice connected at the bottom with the watercloset. (Not shown in this instance.)

D is the refilling-tank, arranged vertically at one side of the flush-pipe 0, near its upper end, and connected at one sideabout midway in its length with the lower end of a conductin g-pi pe E,considerably smaller than the main flush-pipe and whose upper end is connected with an irregular-shaped casting F, forming the outlet of the main reservoir or tank A and to which said main flush-pipe is attached. Said refilling-tank Dis also connected at or near its lower end with the main flush-pipe C by means of a short section of pipe or hub G of considerably-smaller diameter than the conducting-pipe E.

The aforesaid irregular-shaped casting F serves a triple purposeviz. to form a waterpassage from the outlet in the tank A to the main flush-pipe D, to also form a smaller'wafer-passage to the conducting-pipe E and refilling-tank D, and to serve as a bearing for the mechanism for operating the valve at the outlet of tank A.

' The upper end of the flush-pipe C is attached to the lower end of casting Fin this instance by means of an internally-threaded sleeve g, which is'fitted over the right and left threaded ends h z of said casting and flush-pipe, the water-passage j extending in a curved line, as shown in Fig. 1, from the tank to the flushpipe. The conducting-pipe E is also attached at its upper end to the casting F at one side of the flush-pipe connection, being in this in- The discharge through the outlet in tank A is controlled by a valve H, which is opened by hand and closed automatically, as will also be hereinafter described. The discharge through the small passage 1; is also controlled by a valve Z, similar to those used on water and gas pipes for regulating the flow of water or gas therethrough.

Above the main water-passage j is formed a horizontal longitudinal bearing for a short shaft 1, which is fitted to turn therein. To the inner end of said shaft is secured the valve H, previously referred to, for controlling the discharge of water from tank A, and toits.

outer end is secured the hub j of the main operating-lever J of the device. Said lever isprovided with a weight K at one end, and

- to its other end is attached the upper end of the usual chain L, employed for flushing the water-closet. The chain end of the lever is pulled down to flush the closet, and the weight forces it back again to close the valve in the tank A, and thus stop the flush when said chain end of the lever is released. In order that the movements of said lever and its valve H may be properly controlled, internallyprojecting studs m n are secured in the end A of the tank at the proper places for an arm H on the valve to strike against the same when the valve is swung around in either direction, as is indicated by full and dotted lines in Fig. 10.

When the chain end of lever J is drawn down and its weighted end elevated, as is shown by full lines in Fig. 3, which is the position it occupies when valve H is open, said lever is held in said position by its bearing upon the under side of a snap-catch M until automatically released by forcing or drawing back said snap-catch from over the same. This is done by the action of the water flowing through the small passage is and conductingpipe E into the refilling-tank D, which as said water rises in said refilling-tank causes a disk or float N, fitted horizontally therein, to be forced upward, and through a vertical connecting-rod O and cam-lever P forces said snap-catch back longitudinally out of action with said lever J, the vertical connecting-rod being attached at its lower end to the hub of disk N and its upper end pivoted to the free end of the cam-lever P, which is in turn pivoted near its cam P at P to a fixed hearing Q on tank A. The snap-catch M is fitted to slide longitudinally in said bearing Q, is provided with a suitable spring R for exerting a constant outward longitudinal pressure thereon, and is also preferably provided on its upper side with a friction-roll S for the cam I to impinge against, although, if desired, simply a projection or hub may be formed on the snap-catch spindle in lieu thereof. the thin edge at the bottom.

The cam P is made wedge shape, with (See Fig. 8.)

Therefore when it is moved down against the side of the frictionroll S by the water elevating disk N to-raise the free end of lever P the snap-catch is moved back and lever J released, as previously described. In order that the water in said refilling-tank may rise therein to elevate the disk N and operate the snap-catch M to release lever J, as aforesaid,

the outlet at the bottom of the refilling-tank and its short pipe G are made smaller than the supply-pipe E and passage 70. Therefore as the water flows into the tank it discharges from the bottom to refill the bowl of the closet and also rises in said tank to elevate disk N and release lever J to automatically shut ofi the discharge from the main tank A, as previously described, and after said shut off the water continuous to flow from the refillingtank until emptied, and the closet thereby refilled ready for use.

In practice the amount of water discharged at each flush may be regulated in three. ways, either by varying the sizes of the supply and discharge pipes to and from the refilling-tank, by turning the valve Z, or by both means combinedas, for instance, if a short flush is required the inlet E would be increased in size and the outlet G would be made smaller, so that the water discharged into the refilling tank would rise faster than it discharges, and thus elevate the disk N and parts connected therewith more quickly to shut OK the dis= charge from the main tank A. In addition thereto the supply of water through pipe E to the refilling-tank may also be regulated by its valve 70, so as to supply more or less water through the pipe, and thereby vary the time of raising the disk N to release the lever J, or, if desired, the openings and pipes for supplying the water to and discharging it from the refilling-tank may in practice he made alike for all apparatuses made in accordance with my invention and the duration of the flush controlled by simply turning the valve Z, more water being allowed to pass through for reducing the amount of duration of the flush and less water for increasingthe amount and duration thereof.

In practice the apparatus is designed to be constructed and adjusted so that a flush will occur before the water reaches the upper end of the refilling-tank D; but to provide against accidental overflow in case of derangement or improper adjustment of any of the parts I have arranged to securely close and make the opening D in cover D, through which the vertical rod 0 passes, perfectly water-tight by beveling the upper end N of the hub of disk N and also correspondingly beveling the opening around said vertical rod 0, so that when the disk N is elevated by the water the bevel end N will enter and close said beveled opening, as is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6.

The refilling tank D is in this instance shown as being constructed of similar shape to an ordinary house hot-water boiler, being made in the form of a cylinder with closed ends. It may be supported in position in any suitable and convenient manner, preferably IIO by means of a bracket or clip T, bolted to the upper end of the tank, passed around the flush-pipe O, and bolted in position, the bottom end being held in position simply by the pipe connection G. The pipe E also contributes in a measure to the support of the tank.

By the construction adopted in my present invention I am enabled to dispense with the ball-valve U employed in my previously-patented apparatus hereinbefore referred to, and Iam also enabled to better control the amount or duration of each flush. It is also obvious that the general construction of the whole apparatus is much more simple and compact, and I am therefore enabled to place upon the market a better apparatus, producing better results and at less cost than my said previously-patented apparatus.

Having now described my invention, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic apparatus for flushing Water-closets, the combination of the main tank A and flush-pipe O, with a casting F secured to said tank and flush-pipe, and having a water-passage in alinement with that of said flush-pipe, also having a smaller, supplementary water-passage 7; opening from the main water-passage near its inner orifice, said casting also having a bearing for the shaft I, the refilling-tank D, said tank D being properly supported and connected at the bottom by a pipe G with the flush-pipe C; conducting-pipe E, connected at its upper end with casting F in alinement with the aforesaid supplementary water-passage 7tand at its lower end with the refilling-tank, above pipe G; the horizontal disk N, in said refilling-tank; vertical rod 0, attached thereto and pivoted to lever P; said lever P the same having the cam P at its inner end; spring, snap-catch M, supported and fitted to slide longitudinally in a fixed bearing and having a projection for the cam P to impinge against; weighted, operating-lever J, secured to the outer end of shaft 1 and provided with means for operating it; said shaft I; the valve H secured to the inner end thereof and means for controlling the movements of said valve and parts connected therewith, substantially as set forth.

2. In an automatic apparatusfor flushing Water-closets, the combination of the main tank A and flush-pipe O, with a casting F secured to said tank and flush-pipe and having a water-passage in alinement with that of said flush-pipe, also having a smaller, supplementary water-passage opening from the main Water-passage near its inner orifice the refilling-tank D, said tank D being properly sup ported and connected at the bottom by a pipe G with the flush-pipe O; conducting-pipe E, connected at its upper end with casting F, in alinement with the aforesaid supplementary,

water-passage 7c and at its lower end with the refilling-tank above pipe G; the horizontal disk N in said refilling-tank; vertical rod 0, attached thereto and pivoted to lever P; said lever P, the same having the cam P at its inner end; spring, snap-catch M, supported and fitted to slide longitudinally in a fixed bearing and having a projection for the cam P to impinge against, substantially as set forth.

3. In an automatic apparatus for flushing water-closets, the combination of the main tank A and flush-pipe O, with a casting F, secured to said tank and flush-pipe and having a Water-passage in alinement with that of said flush-pipe, also having a smaller, supplementary water-passage 7c, opening from the main water-passage, near its inner orifice, the valve L fitted in casting F across water-passage 70 for controlling the flow of water therethrough; the refilling-tank D, said tank D being properly supported and connected at the bottom by a pipe G with the flush-pipe 0; conducting-pipe E, connected at its upper end with casting F in alinement with the aforesaid supplementary water-passage 7c and at its lower end with the refilling-tank above pipe G; the horizontal disk N in said refilling-tank; vertical rod 0, attached thereto and pivoted to lever P; said lever P, the same having the cam P at its inner end; spring, snap-catch M, supported and fitted to slide longitudinally in a fixed bearing and having a projection for the cam P to impinge against, substantially as set forth.

at. In an automatic apparatus for flushing water-closets, the combination of the main tank A and flush-pipe O, with a casting F secured to said tank and flush-pipe, and having a water-passage in alinement with that of said flush-pipe, also having a smaller, supplementary water-passage is opening from the main water-passage near its inner orifice; the valve L fitted in casting F across said water-passage k for controlling the fiow of water therethrough; the refilling-tank D, said tank D being properly supported, connected at the bottom by a pipe G with the flush-pipe O, and having its top end internally beveled around its central opening where vertical rod 0 passes through; conducting-pipe E connected at its upper end with casting F in alinement with the aforesaid supplementary Water-passage 7c, and at its lower end With the refilling-tank above pipe G, and the horizontal disk N in said refilling-tank having the upper end of its hub beveled and attached to the bottom of rod 0, which is in turn connected with the mechanism for automatically releasing lever J at the end of each fiush, substantially as set forth.

. ADOLPIIUS LA BONTE. Vitnesses:

A. A. BARKER, W. B. NoURsE. 

